Jeremy Clarkson will face no further action, say police

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/apr/07/jeremy-clarkson-police-top-gear-bbc

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Former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson will not face any further investigation by North Yorkshire police over the “fracas” with a producer that led to the star being dropped from the hit BBC2 show.

It comes after the producer involved, Oisin Tymon, decided not to press charges last month, saying in a statement that he hoped “all parties should now be allowed to move on, so far as possible.”

At the time North Yorkshire police said they would take Tymon’s decision, “fully into account” but continue to carry out “some final interviews to complete with guests who witnessed the incident as their perspectives also need to be considered”.

Related: BBC's Andy Wilman tries to salvage unused Top Gear footage

It said Tuesday’s decision had been made after taking into consideration the views of other witnesses who “had been affected by the event”.

They have spoken to potential witnesses to the fracas that cost Clarkson his job at the BBC, saying they “have a duty to investigate” what happened.

The decision by the police is likely to help Clarkson move on with the next phase of his career.

He is still due to host an episode of Have I Got News For You that is being filmed on 23 April, in addition to touring in a live show with former Top Gear colleagues James May and Richard Hammond.

May and Hammond are now out of contract for Top Gear although the BBC has been in talks with them about continuing.

BBC2 star May is also due to make two separate shows for the corporation this year.

With the threat of a potential prosecution no longer hanging over Clarkson, it is likely to mean that BBC rivals such as ITV and Netflix can press ahead with talks.

Top Gear does well for Netflix and the company’s chief content officer Ted Sarandos is understood to realise the global appeal of Clarkson, Hammond and May’s combination of motoring and motormouth humour to the on-demand internet streaming service.

ITV – where some of its executives know Clarkson of old– is looking for more programmes for male viewers having lost FA Cup and live Champions League and Europa League rights.

Related: Top Gear: what should the BBC do without Jeremy Clarkson?

A spokesman for North Yorkshire police said: “North Yorkshire police has now completed its routine enquiries following the incident at Hawes involving Mr Jeremy Clarkson, and we will not be pursuing this matter any further.

“North Yorkshire police takes a thorough and victim-led approach to all investigations.

“Last week, the person at the centre of the incident, Mr Tymon, said that he did not wish the police to take action on his behalf. However, at that point we still needed to speak to some members of the public who were present at the time of the incident, who had been affected by the event, and whose views also needed to be considered.

“Now that all the interviews are complete, we have properly established that there is no need for further police action.”

Tymon’s legal representatives said they would be making no further comment on the matter.